It's Thursday in Rocky Top. Time to put the Butch Jones induced noise aside and focus on South Carolina. This is a highly winnable game for Tennessee. In fact, all things being equal in a garden variety year, I would be picking Tennessee large in this game. This however is no man’s land.

1) Vols will play a new QB who has shown very little during his limited time in games.

2) Vols have had several distractions the past 3 weeks including the departure of a back up OL along with injuries (off field) to a couple of starters. Let's not forget the Taylor suspension plus Butch's own self-inflicted words that wound.

3) South Carolina though not very good is coming off a home blowout win of Arkansas. How will the Cocks handle this success?

4) Carolina got very little push from their OL last week in that game especially early on. Somebody has to win up front on Saturday. Who wins?

5) How will Tennessee respond if behind early in that game? Do the Vols fight or do they roll over?

6) How does the crowd in Neyland Stadium respond if Tennessee gets behind early? That's going to be very interesting.

7) What will the crowd be like in Neyland Stadium?

8) Will the Vols be sharper than their other Noon kickoff? Let's hope Tennessee looks more focused than they did in their last Noon start.

9) What happens if Guarantano struggles early? Does Tennessee go away from him or are they in it to win it with him?

10) How does Tennessee's secondary play against South Carolina's talented sophomore QB. In recent years Carolina has found play-makers against the Vols. Does this continue?

You read those 10 questions above and tell me how you would play this game if betting on it. The ONLY WAY I would play this game for money is if I had to. If you willfully bet on this game Saturday with all the variables, you're a complete degenerate or a glutton for punishment.

Tennessee's season is emblematic of this ball game. We're in week six and I could see any of four outcomes. Tennessee could win a close one or they could get blown out while Carolina could win a close game or they could win a blowout.

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'As we now know, Jarrett Guarantano will take the reigns as Vols starting quarterback this Saturday. There have been rumors and a little bit of controversy over the past few days. Could this be a glimmer of hope? Could the Vols’ offense find the spark that they so desperately have needed? Yes, those things could happen. I’m concerned though, because as a fan this feels like a situation that played out not too long ago.

In 2013 Butch Jones lead the Vols down to the swamp to face divisional rival Florida. It was then that Jones gave the reigns of the offense over to Nathan Peterman. The young Vol QB made his first career start that day, and it turned out to be a miserable one. He was eventually benched after a number of costly errors, one of which Florida took back to the house for six points. After the game and ever since, this has been looked at as a situation that Jones mishandled.

There are a number of things different now, though. The Vols have a more talented offense to help Guarantano as he makes his first start. Also, the South Carolina defense, in my opinion isn’t as good as the Florida defense was when Peterman was thrown into the fire. Also, Peterman made his first start on the road in one of the most hostile environments in the conference. Guarantano will have the advantage of playing in Neyland Stadium.

That doesn’t exactly mean that Guarantano will be walking into an ideal situation, though. The redshirt freshman quarterback will be under a lot of pressure on Saturday Afternoon. The fans are on edge to say the least, and because of that Guarantano could hear some boos early on if the Vols struggle. His coach has never beaten South Carolina’s Will Muschamp, and when you combine that with the point that the South Carolina loss last season is still fresh on a lot of people’s minds, the pressure could amp up quickly.

In the end, Guarantano has a chance on Saturday. He’s got a chance to make a statement. He can go out and play well while leading his team to victory. For competitors, a chance is often all they ask for. He also has a chance to give this fan base something to look forward to. There has been a lot to frown upon this season, but Jarrett Guarantano could give fans one reason to be optimistic for the future.

It won’t be easy for him, as many have picked South Carolina to win. With all of the turmoil surrounding the program right now, the game will likely have its moments where the fans, the coaches, and his teammates are extremely tense. With all of this being the case, Vol fans are hoping his first start will be much different than when Peterman made his debut back in 2013.

Go Vols

Alex'

Alex: So true!!! There is a real opportunity for JG to put up a number on Saturday. He really could make this season fun. Baseball fans would be able to relate. If JG has a great start it will be akin to an August call up becoming possibly a star. New blood gives new life. New life keeps us all interested. I like your take today Alex!!

Catch Alex with me IMMEDIATELY following Tennessee/South Carolina on your Garza Law 5th Quarter Fan Reaction. Available on Periscope and your Tonybasilio.com web stream plus TuneIn Radio under Tony Basilio.

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I have been out of the country for the past 10 years studying transcendental meditation in the Himalayas. Last week, my yogi told me I was ready to reach complete enlightenment. While I was meditating, I could feel something strange, but wonderful happening. I was beginning to have a vision. It became clearer and clearer. I could see, as clear as day, Jon Gruden getting out of a large black SUV in front of the football complex wearing an orange visor and Tennessee t shirt. He looked at me and said, "Go Vols!"

Jim O' Parts Unknown'

Jim. Great hearing from you! Many people will read this wondering if you're for real. I've vetted you and I KNOW you're for real. Thank you for sharing your vision with us. This is called hope and where I come from GRUMORS bring hope. Grum-On and Go Vols.

Soccer Dave is pissed!!! Then again he's seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Soccer Dave

'US Men Soccer Crisis Hotline is Open!

Boy… that felt like LSU in ʻ01 for soccer fans. How did that just happen? You guys know what’s at stake?! Where’s the urgency?! These were the emotional questions I asked myself in the final 10 minutes of that appalling display on Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago. The coaching was so bad that our President thinking we were playing two countries was deemed reasonable. CONCACAF is not a difficult region to navigate but it is physical and a bit nasty. Therefore, the US must play with high energy to combat the brutal defensive tactics teams employ. These tactics are on full display at every tournament and in every World Cup cycle. That’s why when Bruce Arena had his tired group starting the game on the defense was so perplexing. It gave the tiny country with nothing to play for (eliminated a month ago) hope they could succeed.

Did they have luck? Yes. But they earned that luck by being the aggressor. Fresh legs and high energy were all the US needed to secure at least a draw. Instead, a team that had played an emotional game 3 nights prior, not rested, and enduring long flight stepped on to the pitch without any focus. The US has not put back to back good performances together all qualifying and a good manager would have known that. It also appeared that news of the Yanks dreariness reached Costa Rica and Mexico and they promptly laid down at halftime to help the US get eliminated. I respect that because it’s fun to watch a rival suffer.

Why did it come to this?

I point to the MLS as a major problem for American players. The league is not considered to be very good in the world’s eyes and not to the astute fan’s eyes either. It’s awful to watch. Improved, yes, but still a league that is slow, not creative, and sloppy. Ironically, MLS has helped other small countries develop their players and improve the lives of those families. That’s a great thing, but this is a competition. So while the smaller countries are improving our players are regressing. “If you play in the mud, you get muddy.” That’s wisdom from my Grandma Green and it applies to sports. If the US continues to tell its best players to stay in America and not go abroad, the mud will keep flying. The other thought is why did Bruce Arena pick predominately MLS players? Because that’s all he knows. That’s what he is comfortable with. That’s what he can control. Sound familiar sports fans? Michael Bradley has become a pass back first player. Altidore is soft and petulant without service, Dempsey still has the heart but father time always wins, and Howard looks slow. Remember when I said months ago that Arena’s hiring was, in part, supposed to bring back that fighting and energetic spirit? It did for two or three games. As you all know, interim coaches do get a spark but it quickly dies (perhaps like Dormady’s career… no offense to him). Unfortunately, what we returned to was a group of players and a style of play that worked great when these players were 6 years but can’t work anymore. High intensity and constant running doesn’t work for older players.

Where do we go from here?

Bruce Arena, after suffering the most embarrassing and humiliating loss in the last 40 years of US soccer, said yesterday that nothing needed to change. Really? Everything must change. We have a country of 300 million people and spent millions of dollars on US soccer and we can’t 18 guys to beat Trinidad? For perspective, Iceland with a population of 300k qualified for the World Cup and beat England in the Euros. They figured it out! US soccer must look within and hire a manager (and stick with him) with INTERNATIONAL success. Arena’s only success was a shock run in 2002 and winning in the MLS, which doesn’t count. US must make a move for a man (no offense ladies) who can recruit dual nationals, develop them, and (here’s a thought) pick them in tournaments!

Let me give you hope. I’ve seen our 17 to 21 year olds play a bunch recently and they are exciting. In fact, I think the under 21 team would have spanked that group that went to Trinidad. Here are some names to watch.

Josh Sargent- 17 year old Forward The Ginger striker is silky smooth with Puliscic – like movement

Weston Mckennie- 18 Midfielder: He has soft feet and wonderful control and is already better than Michael Bradley (but he isn’t a buddy of Bruce Arnea). He also plays for Shalke, one of the better teams in Germany’s top league.

Gedion Zelalem- 20 year old midfielder He is slightly built but is also technically gifted and shifts the ball around with ease. On loan to a smaller club from…Arsenal!

Josh Perez- 19 attacking midfielder Makes powerful moves into the box and is not afraid to shoot. Plays in Italy’s top-flight league for Fiorintina

Cameron Carter-Vickers- 19 CB The tall defender is good with both feet and has a commanding presence Plays for Tottenham in the Premier League

Julian Green- 21 year old striker Had one touch in the 2014 World Cup and it was a goal… He scored another for Bayern Munich the German Champions recently (Arena picked 36 year old Chris Wondolowski instead)

Matt Miazga- 21 year old CB Huge defender that is on loan to Vittesse (great team) on loan from Chelsea.. Not picked either.

Luca de la Torre- 18 year old midfielder who gets assists for fun He plays for Fulham in England…

I hope you have seen a trend… you want to be great then play in Europe. We need a new Sporting Director and manager to make US men’s soccer great again, like our VOLS!

I’ll be back for World Cup primers!

Don’t tread on me,

Soccer Dave'

Tee MailReturns!

865-544-VOLS -(8657)Call and leave a voice or text message!

Soccer Dave.....I tweeted out that it looked like the US played Butch Jones Soccer. They had the wrong guys in the wrong positions playing listlessly with a tremendous amount on the line. It was a mystifying performance that made Tennessee's 'effort' at Vandy last year seem inspiring by contrast.

Peace

A New Direction At TonyBasilio.com: Here at Tonybasilio.com we’re creating a series of programming with little to mostly zero commercial sponsorship. In other words, you will be digesting the following programs in coming days with almost no interruption. This is unprecedented in the history of my business. Nobody has ever done this. Here are the offerings coming your way.

Our Family Of Offerings:

‘X-Cast: A Recruiting Podcast’: Featuring Tony Basilio & ‘X’ where we discuss the latest moves, behind the scenes machinations and all the intrigue from the world of recruiting. This will hopefully be offered twice monthly with lengths varying. If this takes off perhaps we can even do some live offerings of this show. THIS IS BEING OFFERED COMMERCIAL FREE!!!

Fifth Quarter Fan Reaction: Back for season 4. Sponsored by Marcos Garza. This year with NO OTHER SPONSORS. This will be pure content for you. I’m taking a chance here but I know you will reward me for not bombarding you with messages Vol Network style. This program will run for at least 3 hours following Tennessee Football Games. We will have new visual presentation of this feature as well that we’re investing in. Thanks to Jayson Swain for helping me with the technical side of our visual presentation.

Southeastern Sunday Night: 7p to 9p on Sunday Nights airing on Periscope/Facebook Live and other platforms including your Tony Basilio Show App. This will be a regional program that aims to keep it real. We will tell the truth on us, them and all with you. This could be a lot of fun if you help me spread the word across the region. This hopefully will turn into a free for all that is free for all. ZERO SPONSORS. COMMERCIAL FREE OFFERING.

Vol-Scars: A podcast featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly and Eric S where we go back in time and commemorate the painful losses in UT football history that left a mark. These shows are extremely time intensive to put together. I’ve worked all summer on these offerings and am really proud of what we’ve compiled thus far. I think you’ll really enjoy this. COMMERCIAL FREE.

Gate Twenty Won: A podcast Featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly where we celebrate the greatest wins in UT history in time capsule form. These are a breath of fresh air and the type of programming I’m aiming to bring to you . COMMERCIAL FREE

Chill Cast: Tell Me A Story: A podcast where I grab folks from the sports world and our community and allow them to share their stories with us. This will be done in the spirit of the recent re-launch programs that I did. We’ll aim to go deeper here. Stay tuned. COMMERCIAL FREE.

Tennessee Basketball Overtime: Back for year 5! Immediately following Tennessee Basketball Games. A Tennessee Basketball Call-In show featuring ONLY ONE SPONSOR…GARZA LAW FIRM. Therefore we keep the conversation going without bombarding you Vol Network style. What a concept!!!!

Garza On The Law: A Podcast dealing with the legal issues that invade the sports world featuring the great Marcos Garza. We will go deeper here. I promise that you will find this interesting. Presented by Garza Law Firm.

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FAQ's Asked Of Tony Per Our Relaunch Announcement:

Q: Tony, you didn't say anything about your daily show yesterday. Will you continue to do this?

A: Absolutely. I'm looking forward to year #24 with you.

Q: Tony, you used the word 'subscribe'. What Am I subscribing too?

A: Great question. 'Subscribe' is a misnomer. What you actually are doing if you choose to help us monthly (and we need this for budgeting reasons) is actually acting as a patron. The goal is to keep the content (ALL CONTENT, from postgame offerings to various podcasts) free for all.

A: Because you value the content and our contribution to the market and you want to help us keep this stuff free for everybody.

Q: Are you going to beat us up for money all the time here?

A: Absolutely not. I will bring this up a few times heading into the football season as we attempt to meet our financial goals and create new programming. I'll also mention it in the post-game format as well as the regional programming. I will not however wear you out with this. Either you feel the need to help us or you don't. This is why I'm taking today to field some question I received after day one.

Q: What happens if this doesn't generate the revenue you're seeking?

A: We will scale back our online offerings accordingly. The blog itself could even disappear. I really don't want this to happen but will be forced to spend my time in the most profitable way necessary. That's why we're having the conversation. All my cards are on the table here.

Q: When will we be able to hear these new podcasts, like that X-Cast?

A: It's all coming soon. We premiered a new Gate Twenty Won yesterday after the Basilio Show live on the app and will debut one today from the 1980 Georgia game. As for the 'X'-Cast....I'm going to upload these in real time with minimal production. Therefore I'm hoping to get one of these up in the next 10 days. It all depends on 'X's schedule.

Q: When will Southeastern Sunday debut?

A: We're shooting for the Sunday after the first full weekend of the football season.

FISH Hospitality Pantries (a.k.a. Hospitality Pantries, Inc.) operates four pantries
in East, South, Northwest and West Knoxville. They currently provide food to approximately 8,000 families every month.
FISH focuses on what more can be done to help ensure that everyone gets enough to eat.